Pets have spent all summer playing and bonding with their children. When the time comes to go back to school after summer vacation, kids aren’t the only ones experiencing those back-to-school blues.
Big changes in routine, like the transition from summer break to the school year in the fall, can cause separation anxiety in dogs and cats.
In fact, it’s estimated that of the nearly 90 million dogs1 in the country, 20 to 40 percent taken to veterinary behavioral specialists are affected by separation anxiety.
2 Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs & Cats
If your pet has separation anxiety, you may notice some behavioral changes. Purina veterinarian Dr. Kurt Venator says to watch for the following signs:
• Improper urination or defecation in the house not associated with puppy or kitten training
• Excessive barking or howling
• Excessive chewing or other destructive behavior in the home
How to Ease Separation Anxiety in Dogs & Cats
1. Create a Routine
Family pets benefit from routines just as much as their parents and children. Leaving and returning at the same time every day will help your four-legged family members adjust to the changes they’re experiencing and reduce your dog or cat’s separation anxiety.
2. Schedule Time for Play & Exercise
Schedule designated play times for your cat or dog each day. “This is where appropriate treating comes into play. You want to reward the good behaviors and discourage the bad behaviors. A treat here or there [during playtime], along with verbal praise, can go a long way,” says Venator.
Taking your dog for a walk or playing an interactive game with your cat before you leave for the day is another calming strategy. After exercise, pets are usually ready for a nap, which creates the perfect segue for you to leave.
Related Articles : https://www.toppethacks.com/
3. Provide Some Background Noise
People who turn the TV on for their dogs or cats when they leave the house are sometimes considered “crazy pet parents,” but it’s good advice for treating separation anxiety in dogs and cats.
Playing music, leaving the TV on and even turning on an audiobook or podcast can provide them with some engagement and distraction. Plus, the sound of other human voices can make pets feel less alone.
4. Try Stimulating Puzzles & Games
Puzzle feeders are a great way to reduce anxiety and keep your pet mentally stimulated. Pour half of their recommended daily amount of food into the puzzle feeder each morning and then refill each evening. Your dog or cat will spend the day busy and engaged, which can ease feelings of anxiety.
Other options are to hide small portions of dry cat or dog food and leave them in bowls around the house.
“Measure out the amount you want to feed every day and then divide it into smaller portions hidden around the house,” says Purina veterinarian Dr. Zara Boland. This hide-and-seek game is particularly beneficial for cats, as it spurs their hunting instincts and keeps them busy and active throughout the day.
5. Remain Calm & Confident
You’re the pack leader, so your children and pets will follow your lead. If you prolong goodbyes, you’re more likely to spur those feelings of separation anxiety in your pets.
Instead, keep goodbyes short and sweet each time. Your pets (and children) will follow suit. If your pet (or you) struggle with this, try saying goodbye with lots of petting and praise as much as 10 to 20 minutes before you leave. Then, when the time comes to leave, you can go without feeling bad, because you’ve already said goodbye.
If you have to leave suddenly and don’t have time for a walk or to create a game for them to play while you’re away, try giving them a favorite toy to keep them stimulated.
By following the above tips, you can ease your cat or dog’s separation anxiety symptoms and make them feel more comfortable being home alone. For more pet care tips from Purina’s veterinarians,
CBD – Natural Relief for Your Pet
Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the active constituents of the cannabis plant, has profound healing and balancing effects on all mammals. Pet owners have used it for a broad spectrum of medical and behavioral issues — cancer pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, seizures, neurological and digestive disorders, anxieties, obsessions, past traumas,
withdrawal, mood, and memory. During recovery from illness or surgery, CBD can stimulate appetite and speed healing. At the end of life, it can ease the pain and fear your pet may be experiencing. CBD does all this by stimulating the endocannabinoid system.
The Endocannabinoid System and How It Works
Named after the plant that led to its discovery, the endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors located throughout the body. Short-lived natural endocannabinoid substances are synthesized on demand by the body to maintain homeostasis, a stable internal environment. When these internal mechanisms lag behind the body’s needs, supplementing with extra CBD can help. Research also suggests that supplementing can coax the body to build more receptors so natural cannabinoids will work more effectively.
Two types of receptors have been identified: CB1 receptors, predominantly in the brain, nervous system, glands and organs; and CB2 receptors, found mainly in the regulatory cells of the immune system. Many tissues contain both receptors, each linked to a different action. A key role of the endocannabinoid system is controlling inflammation by up-regulating or down-regulating the immune response. An overactive response can lead to allergies and auto-immune problems; an underactive one can leave the body susceptible to infections and the unchecked proliferation of cancer cells.
Safety: Hemp vs. Marijuana
Although hemp and marijuana are both classified as cannabis, they are distinctly different varieties. Recreational marijuana is very high in euphoria-producing THC, while hemp plants contain virtually no THC but have high levels of beneficial CBD. Hemp-derived CBD is not psychoactive and it has no unpleasant side effects. Hemp products containing less than .3% THC are legal for sale in all 50 states. CBD from hemp is not regulated as a drug and has no known toxicity level.
Administering CBD and Determining Dosage
CBD is available in many convenient forms. Extracts can be given from a dropper bottle directly into the mouth, added to food, dropped on a treat, rubbed into bare skin or inside the ears, or dropped on an animal’s paw so they will lick it off. You can also find hemp CBD biscuits, hemp CBD capsules and gel caps, and topical hemp CBD ointments.
Dosage can vary quite a bit from one situation to the next. It may be necessary to experiment a little to find the right amount, and how often to give.